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Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel
(Photo © I. Rolando) |
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Cattleya Rex
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© I. Rolando)
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Anguloa Virginalis
(Photo
© I. Rolando)
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Epidendrum Schomburgkii
(Photo © C. Rojas) |
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Zygopetalum Intermedium
(Photo © I. Rolando) |
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Home
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Machu Picchu Travel Guide >
Orchids Paradise |
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Orchids
Paradise - Machu Picchu |
Waqanki Tale (*)
"In the kingdom of the Andes there was a beautiful
young princess. She fell in love with a brave and
handsome warrior of the
Inca.
Once her father, knew of the love affair, he prohibited
any relationship between them because the princess was
destined for the Sun God.
When the princess learned of his decision, she ran
over the Andes, crying for her forbidden love and was
turned into the beautiful "Waqanki" flower. So, each
time the warrior found this flower in the Andes, he also
would cry remembering his lost love"
The spirit of beauty is still there, expressed also
in our days in a song that we can hear even now:
"You will cry, my most beautiful
flower
with your pretty eyes.
Because of
you
jealousy surrounds me.
To you, I am
betrothed,
beautiful Waqanki,
Flower blooming
in the heights.
What shall your song be
when I
carry you
In my
heart"
(*) This is the only testimony of appreciation of the
orchids that existed in the empire of the Incas and has
been preserved until the present day through oral
transmission.
The meandering paths and trails on the Machu
Picchu Pueblo Hotel grounds are designed to
provide the guests with unparalleled opportunities to
observe and explore on foot the impressive wealth of
orchids at the Sanctuary. Bromeliad fanciers and bird
watchers will spot many specimens, as well. The three
walks vary in length, difficulty and frequency of
use.
It is believed there are some 350 native species in
the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. More than a hundred of these
may be easily seen in these orchid trails, in
their natural habitat.
The Сusta Orchid Walk
Is the
first area that guests see. Сusta was the official title
of the Royal princess of the
Inca
Empire. This paved walkway was painstakingly
hand-cut and laid by indigenous stonecutters in the
tradition of their ancestors. The path meanders through
the Hotel grounds around casitas that lodge
guests in gardens so carefully crafted that they appear
entirely natural. Visitors immediately enjoy the sight
of orchids from the tranquillity of their windows, and
exotics orchid plants that are carefully identified and
described to provide botanical information on the
marvels at hand.
The Imperial Orchid Trail
Is also
located on Hotel property. In these natural retreats we
learn more about native orchids and theirs growing
habits. Again, we will recognize terrestrial, or
ground-growing orchids as well as epiphytic
orchids, which are "air plants" that grow attached
to trees and shrubs, deriving their nutrients from de
air. Along this trail, accompanied by the trill of
exotic birds, we will undoubtedly observe exquisite
orchids which centuries ago delighted Inca rulers and
subjects alike. From either, you might have the
unforgettable experience of sighting one of the exotic
birds native to the Sanctuary, such as the "Gallito de
las Rocas" the brilliant orange and black "Cock of the
Rocs" (Rupicola Peruviana).
The Orchids Explorers' Trail
The
old mountain trail used by Hiram Bingham on his way to
Machu
Picchu, is carefully designed to be an exiting and
educational orchid identification search which will
familiarize the trekker with several different orchid
habitats. The walk begins in avocado orchard and a
vegetable garden belonging to the Hotel and continues as
a hike up into the higher-altitude of the Urubamba
Valley canyons, which reach 2460 meters / 8000 ft. above
sea level. The emotion of seeing orchids suspend over
rushing water or contrasted against brilliant blues
skies will be your most treasured souvenir. Strict
Hotel rules require that all trails be visited only
during daylight hours and that, without exception, guest
be accompanied on their explorations by a Hotel
designated guide or interpreter.
Anguloa Virginalis
This is a
large, terrestrial, trifoliate plant with dark
green pseudo-bulbs.
Flowers:
From September to December; it bears single,
medium-sized, creamy white flowers with purple-rose
spots on sepals, petals and
lip.
Habitat/Distribution: It grows
in dense shade in the cloud forest and has a widely
extended habitat stretching from the north of Peru, in
the Cordillera del Cуndor, to the south in the high
cloud forest of the Department of Puno. The
Anguloa is the most common orchid in Peru.
Epidendrum
Schomburgkii
Impressive because of this
height and the size of its flowers, this terrestrial
plant forms great masses when growing well. It has stems
from 1 to 1.5 meters / 3 to 5 feet
tall.
Flowers: Its flower are among
the biggest of the Epidendrum, 5 to 10 cm / 2
to 3 inches. They are brilliant orange and appear from
September to December, before the rainy
season.
Habitat/Distribution:
Terrestrial plant. Native to the Central Forest of Peru,
grows at altitudes around 1 500 meters / 5 000 feet.
Zygopetalum Intermedium
These
plants grow in the ground and have ovoid-conic
pseudo-bulbs with 3 or 4 leaves at the
apex.
Flowers: Three to six large
flowers hang in clusters from the peduncle. They are
green, heavily mixed with light crimson. Sepals and
petals are the same color, a white lip is adorned with
purple veins. It flowers from September to
December.
Habitat/Distribution:
Terrestrial. A common species in cloud forest areas at
about 1 500 mt. / 5 000 ft.
More information: [email protected]
Orchids in
Machu Picchu Photo Gallery (4)
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